Now you must know that a town mouse once upon a time went on avisit to his cousin in the country. He was rough and ready, thiscousin, but he loved his town friend and made him heartilywelcome. Beans and bacon, cheese and bread, were all he had tooffer, but he offered them freely. The town mouse rather turnedup his long nose at this country fare, and said: "I cannotunderstand, cousin, how you can put up with such poor food asthis, but of course you cannot expect anything better in thecountry; come you with me and I will show you how to live. whenyou have been in town a week you will wonder how you could everhave stood a country life." No sooner said than done: the twomice set off for the town and arrived at the town mouse'sresidence late at night. "You will want some refreshment1 afterour long journey," Said the polite town mouse, and took his friendinto the grand dining-room. There they found the remains2 of afine feast3, and soon the two mice were eating up jellies4 and cakesand all that was nice. Suddenly they heard growling5 and barking. "What is that?" Said the country mouse. "It is only the dogs ofthe house," Answered the other. "Only!" Said the country mouse. "I do not like that music at my dinner." Just at that moment thedoor flew open, in came two huge mastiffs, and the two mice had toscamper down and run off. "Good-bye, cousin," Said the countrymouse, "What! going so soon?" Said the other. "Yes," He replied; 
Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear. 